History

Montenegro Airlines was founded on 24^th October 1994. The company is licensed to operate scheduled domestic and international passenger transport and charter operations, as well as for carriage of cargo and mail.

Over the years, as the company, its fleet and the number of employees has grown, Montenegro Airlines has developed into a modern institution, operating in accordance with modern global standards. This assertion is backed up by our satisfied loyal passengers and numerous certificates and awards of merit.

DEVELOPMENT

• Dr .Zoran Djurisic, President
  Dr. Djurisic proposed the establishment of an airline to the Government of Montenegro in 1993.
  Dr. Djurisic has been the leader of the airline from it inception to the present. He was born 12^th August 1956. He graduated from the Faculty of Organizational Sciences in 1983, and earned his M.Sc (Eng) degree from the Faculty of Engineering in Novi Sad in 1989. In 1998, he successfully defended his doctoral thesis at the Faculty of Engineering in Nis.
  After completing his studies, Dr. Djurisic was the Chief Engineer in the IT department at Radoje Dakic in Podgorica. He held the post of Director of the Representative Office of Energoprojekt in Podgorica. In 1994 he was elected as the first Director of Montenegro Airlines. In 1997, he was appointed President of the Board of Directors of Montenegro Airlines.
  

• Airline Establishment
  The airline was established on 24^th October 1994.
  Although the idea of establishing a Montenegrin airline had been discussed for a long period of time, it was only in the beginning of the 90's that the idea was comprehensively studied by the Government Agency for Economic Restructuring and Foreign Investments. At that time, it was acknowledged that Montenegro lacked the transportation infrastructure to meet the demands of the tourism industry and the business community.
  After the Government decided to proceed with the idea of establishing an airline in 1993 administrative procedures began. The company's founding document was signed in September 1994 and the company was registered on 24^th October 1994.
  

• First Airplane
  A Fokker 28Mk 4000 was acquired in the autumn of 1996.
  The years in which the airline was founded were very difficult for the entire Western Balkans region, so it was not possible to acquire the company's first airplane sooner.
  

• First Flight
  The first flight of an aircraft bearing the company's logo was completed on 7^th May 1997. On that day, at exactly 10:30, the company's airplane, known as Lovćen, landed in Bari, Italy. The company chose to send its first ever flight to Italy to emphasize the historical and business connections between the two countries.
  The duration of our first international flight was 50 minutes. The Montenegrins were greeted in Bari by numerous reporters, political figures and business people. The Mayor of Bari, Mr. Simeone di Cagno Abrescia, was on hand, as was the Prime Minister of the Provincial Government of Puglia, Mr. Salvatore Di Stazo. The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia's Ambassador in Rome, Mr. Miodrag Lekic, addressed guests at a press cocktail at the Hotel Palas.
  

• Second Airplane
  In the first year of operations, the airline transported 16,000 passengers. In its second year Montenegro Airlines transported 70,000 passengers. The company's growth necessitated the acquisition of another Fokker 28Mk 4000, which was purchased in July 1998. The purchase of the second craft allowed the company to eye new markets and plan their conquest.
  

• New Destinations
  In late 1999, after turbulent years for Montenegro and the entire Western Balkans, we launched a very important route to Frankfurt. To this day, Frankfurt remains one of our most important destinations. The close of the 20^th century was also marked by flights to Zurich, Ljubljana, Skopje, Istanbul and Budapest.
  

• IATA Membership
  In April 2000, Montenegro Airlines became a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). IATA membership was a precondition for obtaining a license for scheduled air operations, joining the Amadeus global reservation system and the establishment of close cooperation with other carriers.
  After operating for three years as a charter company, Montenegro Airlines was ready to become a member of IATA. After thoroughly investigating the company's technical, flight, safety and operational procedures, IATA experts concluded that we fulfilled all conditions for membership in the organization and Montenegro Airlines took its place alongside numerous other world class airlines. IATA membership, however, was only the first of many success stories that would follow for the company.
  

• Acquisition of Fokker 100
  In 2000 the renewal of our fleet began. With the acquisition of new Fokker 100s, Montenegro Airlines grew into a modern airline. By the end of 2003 we had four Fokker 100s in our fleet. The aircraft were manufactured with the highest level of global aviation technology. Fokker 100s are equipped with the most modern navigation devices, which enable automatic landing, even in zero visibility conditions. The planes are also equipped with a great number of failsafe systems, so our passengers can rest assured that they are safe.
  

• Amadeus System User
  On 5^th March 2003, Montenegro Airlines became an Amadeus System user.
  Amadeus is the leading global reservation system, used by 130 other international airlines. Through Amadeus, our flight timetable and tickets became available to passengers all over the world. Tickets for Montenegro Airlines' partner carriers can be purchased through our sales agencies.
  

• Millionth Passenger
  On 2^nd July 2004, we rewarded our one-millionth passenger with a seven-day vacation for two in Paris. The one-millionth ticket was purchased at our Podgorica sales agency.
  

• 1,500,000^th Passenger  
  On 5^th June 2005 we rewarded our 1,500,000^th passenger. The year-end of 2005 and the beginning of 2006 marked a record number of passengers and flights. At the crowded Belgrade Airport, we identified our frequent passenger and rewarded her with a vacation for two persons in Turkish resort Bodrum.
  

• First E-Ticket  
  On 22^nd February 2006, we issued the first electronic ticket in the Balkans. The ticket was issued at our representative office in Zurich. The ticket was then processed and accepted at the Zurich airport by a passenger who has been living in Switzerland for more than a quarter century. That Montenegro Airlines was among the first airlines in Europe to issue e-tickets is further proof that we are committed to the constant and timely electronic evolution of the industry.
  

• Two-Millionth Passenger
  At the beginning of summer season, 14^th June 2006, we rewarded the two-millionth passenger.
  Constant growth of number of destinations, flights and thus passengers, enabled us to identify the "jubilee" passenger at the very beginning of the season. Our passenger, Ms. Elida Mijovic of Podgorica was awarded vacation for two persons in Paris.
  

• IOSA Certification
  On 21^st February 2007, Montenegro Airlines officially received IOSA certification from IATA. IOSA is the most important, internationally recognized oversight program for airline safety in civil aviation. In addition to technological standards, IOSA also takes into account organizational and personnel standards.
  IOSA has a clear and unique goal - to improve aviation safety. IOSA certification inspections consist of 750 strictly defined safety standards, developed by more than one hundred international industry experts. These standards have been developed in order to raise the safety bar in the entire air industry. The IOSA safety program is recognized by American air transport authorities, which are applying very strict standards since 9/11.
  

• Flights to Russia
  On 19^th May 2007, our air bridge to Russia was established. Since then, scheduled flights to Moscow and St. Petersburg have been operating on a regular basis.
  Montenegro Airlines operates flights to Russia three times a week in the winter season. During the summer season the number of flights to Russia increases.
  

• Fleet Renewal
  On 23^rd July 2007, the process of fleet modernization continued when Montenegro Airlines signed a purchase agreement for two new Embraer 195s. These aircraft open a new chapter in the company's commercial air transport history and create fresh opportunities for our business operations.
  Embraer 195s are recognized for their sophisticated and extraordinary performance. With its state-of-the-art technology the 195 is rightly known as the aircraft of the 21^st century. The 195 was designed by E-principle and encompasses the most modern engineering know-how. The plane provides superior ergonomics, extraordinary efficiency and impressive economic values. Its introduction into the fleet of Montenegro Airlines has enabled the conquering of new markets and offers our passengers the most efficient, technologically advanced and comfortable aircraft in the sky.
  

• IOSA Certificate Renewed
  On 12^th February 2008, our IOSA certificate was renewed, following our compliance with new, stricter IOSA safety standards.
  IOSA is internationally recognized and accepted as the standard of safety and security in air transport. During each renewal of certification, every airline is subject to a stricter audit than the one previously conducted. Obtaining IOSA certification confirms our company's commitment to quality in all technical and business operations and attests to the value of Montenegro Airlines.
  

• Arrival of First Embraer 195
  On 8^th June 2008, our first Embraer 195 landed at the Podgorica airport.
  The inclusion of this aircraft in our fleet marked the beginning of a new era for Montenegro Airlines. On this occasion our company organized press cocktail which was attended by numerous guests from political and social circles, business partners and employees.
  

• Promotional Flight to London  
  On 15^th June 2008 we connected Montenegro with one of the greatest administrative and business centers of the world – London.
  On this occasion, Montenegro Airlines organized press cocktail in prestigious London hotel "The Dorchester", which was attended by guests and media from Great Britain, as well as for guests and media from our country, who arrived, for this occasion by promotional flight to London. Montenegro Airlines operates three weekly flights to London throughout the year.
  

• Direct Flights to Milan
  On 24^th July 2008, we introduced direct flights to Milan.
  Airport Malpensa, in Milan, hosted a large number of representatives of the Italian media, tour operators and numerous representatives of Montenegro's media and tourism industry to officially launch Montenegro Airlines' new route to Milan. The tourism offer of Montenegro was also presented at the launch.
  Flights to Milan are operated twice a week throughout the year.
  

• Three-Millionth Passenger
  On 12^th September, the jubilee three-millionth passenger of this airline was identified.
  The jubilee passenger was identified based on company’s statistic indicators and data from the global reservation system Amadeus. The number "three million" refers to the period from the beginning of Company’s operations. The award, vacation for two persons in Paris, was granted to our passenger in Podgorica Sales Agency, immediately after she purchased the three-millionth ticket.
  

• Company Restructuring
  On 10^th November 2008, Montenegro Airlines completed all procedures for privatization and transformed from a limited liability company (d.o.o.) into joint stock company (a.d.). Dr. Zoran Djurisic was appointed President of the Board of Directors and Mr. Petar Glomazic was appointed Acting CEO.

MONTENEGRO AIRLINES TODAY

Today, Montenegro Airlines operates scheduled flights to Zurich, Frankfurt, Rome, Paris, Ljubljana, Vienna, Belgrade, Moscow, Niš and Copenhagen, successfully establishing an air bridge between Montenegro and Europe.

In addition to scheduled flights, we also operate charters to many destinations, including: Bari, Brindisi, Napoli, Athens, Corfu, Rhodes, Skiathos, Istanbul, Tel Aviv, Riga, Hurghada, Brno, Ostrava, Graz, Klagenfurt, Dusseldorf, Catania and others.

The Montenegro Airlines fleet consists of 8 modern aircraft - 5 Fokker 100s and 3 Embraer 195. Future development plans for Montenegro Airlines include further modernization and enlargement of our fleet with more Embraer 195s. The company is committed to conquering new markets, opening new routes, increasing flights to current destinations and increasing the number of passengers served.

Board of Directors:

• dr Zoran Đurišić, President of the Board of Directors
• Miodrag Ivanović, MSc, Member of the Board of Directors
• Milovan Milić, Member of the Board of Directors
• Rifat Rastoder, Member of the Board of Directors
• Džavid Šabović, Member of the Board of Directors

Management:

• President of the Board of Directors, dr Zoran Đurišić
• CEO Deputy, Novica Vulić
• Director of Operations and Maintenance, Milovan Milić
• Commercial Department Director, Vlastimir Ristić 
• Department of Legal, Personnel and General Affairs Director, Olja Radović
• Department for Marketing and Corporate Communications Director, MScie Aleksandra Gardašević Slavuljica
• Security Department Director, Čedomila Banjević
• IT Department Director, Dejan Bojanić
• Finance Department Director, Stana Mugoša
• Department of Accounting, Planning and Analysis Director, Vesna Pavičević
• Ground Handling Department Director, Zoran Radunović
• Flight Operations Department, Director Draško Popović 
• Maintenance Department Director, Živko Banjević
• Training Center Director, Nikola Vukelić